The image that Dante the poet portrays of Francesca is one of a beautiful and intelligent woman, who allowed herself to be led astray by desire. Now she and her lover are paying for it in Hell. There are contrasting opinions of Francesca in regards to ‘Dante the pilgrim’ in the poem and ‘Dante the poet’ writing the poem. Dante the pilgrim hears her story and is so overwhelmed with pity that he faints with emotion. Dante the poet, however, wrote Francesca into the story knowing what she has done, and has condemned her for it. If he did feel any pity for her it wasn’t enough to spare her an eternity in Hell. This contrast is prevalent throughout Inferno. Dante the pilgrim is a man who has sinned and is on a journey to redeem himself. The pilgrim in this story could be any one of its readers. Humans were born into sin, and at times can and do commit them. Lust is known as the least grievous of sins, but that is in part due to the fact that it is an unconscious emotion. People don’t consciously choose who and why they are attracted to someone. It’s not like choosing what to eat for…show more content… Humans will tend to have sinful thoughts, but to act on them is the real sin. And although Francesca has sinned, and knows it is a sin, she takes no blame for her actions. She doesn’t see the distinction. And if you do not repent against your sins your punishment is Hell. This is what Dante the poet is trying to teach in this Canto. Thought and action are two very different things. The pilgrim’s sympathy is not because he feels she has been wronged or is not to blame. His sympathy toward Francesca is a symbol of overall sympathy for human’s sinful nature, and sins that occur without conscious planning. Dante condemning her to Hell reminds readers why they should control that sinful
